Houston Astros and Texas Rangers Draft Paralyzed Baseball Players

Forgive me in advance for my partiality, but I’m sure you’ll understand after reading. It’s not often that a team can draft a player who will never suit up for the franchise and receive praise. Today, two teams made such a move and I’m proud to say they both are in Texas. The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros both drafted former college baseball players who have been paralyzed today.

University of Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball draft. Despite being paralyzed in an outfield collision with a teammate three months ago, Taylor was still able to see his dream come true.

Seven rounds later the Houston Astros followed suit of their intrastate neighbor in drafting Buddy Lamothe from San Jacinto College. Lamothe, a pitcher was paralyzed in an a swimming accident last month.

It’s a heartwarming gesture by the two Texas franchises for two devastated young men. As a native Houstonian and a proud Texan, I’m as proud to see this as I was the Astros in the World Series in 2005 and the Rangers in 2010. Everything’s bigger in Texas you know, even our hearts.